UPS introduces online returns service for e-commerce merchants

UPS this week introduced a new online offering-set to debut on August 14 in the United States and August 28 in 43 other countries-that enables e-commerce merchants to customize return shipments according to their policy.

UPS this week introduced a new online offering-set to debut on August 14 in the United States and August 28 in 43 other countries-that enables e-commerce merchants to customize return shipments according to their policy.

Entitled, UPS Returns Manager, UPS said this tool lets customers manage return shipments without having to integrate new technology into their own IT systems. And for consumers using this tool, UPS said they can print a return shipping label from the UPS.com tracking website and from e-mail alerts and also print off return labels for free from The UPS Store locations.

Given the ongoing proliferation of e-commerce activity, UPS said UPS Returns Manager provided merchants with a valuable tool to manage returns in a market in which online shoppers return hundreds of billions of dollars in merchandise per year, with some estimates putting the cost of online returns at around 10-15% of the costs of good sold.

“Online returns are a headache for many merchants and their customers. The UPS Returns Manager makes the process a lot easier,” said Stu Marcus, UPS vice president of customer technology marketing, in statement. “It’s perfect for any shipper, especially small and mid-sized merchants that lack this capability in-house. UPS is the first logistics provider to offer the ability to create a return shipment through a tracking results page.”

UPS cited various benefits of UPS Returns Manager, including:

allowing UPS shippers to administer authorized return shipments, set their service level, request a reason for return, and see reports on their shipments;

outbound and return packages are linked in tracking, allowing for early association of the two shipments;

the ability to pre-authorize returns shipments for specified accounts;

a controlled, consumer-friendly returns process similar to those at large retail sites but without integrating technology;

a source for business intelligence and other insights about reasons for returns;

an immediate and hassle-free way to provide return labels to customers;

a cost-effective alternative to placing a return label in every outbound package; and

increased customer loyalty due to easy returns

“Returning goods is a huge part of ecommerce,” a UPS spokesman told LM. “Hundreds of billions of dollars’ worth of goods are returned each year. The 2017 UPS Pulse of the Online Shopper study shows that 75% of avid online shoppers have shipped their returns back to the retailer and that many customers consider the terms of a merchant’s return policy when deciding whether to make a purchase. The UPS Returns Manager is an important tool that will make it much easier to use UPS to ship items back to merchants.”

Jeff Berman, Group News Editor
Jeff Berman is Group News Editor for Logistics Management, Modern Materials Handling, and Supply Chain Management Review. Jeff works and lives in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, where he covers all aspects of the supply chain, logistics, freight transportation, and materials handling sectors on a daily basis. Contact Jeff Berman

SEKO is investing significantly to establish logistics centers and infrastructure needed to meet the growing client demand in the automotive, retail and aerospace industries and will see the opening of…

Even though a manufacturer may be an expert at producing goods it may not be as well-versed in the intricacies of transporting those materials, including unknowingly offering carriers non-compliant hazmat…

24|7 Pro Team

The 24|7 Team is your direct pipeline to solutions for your business challenges. It's your opportunity to have supply chain and logistics experts look at your specific challenges and needs, and give you free, no-obligation advice, solutions, and information.

The 24|7 Team will simplify the task of creating a database of likely partners, building your knowledge base, and preparing your Request for Proposal list.

Choosing the perfect software or system can be an indomitable challenge. Using this transportation/TMS RFP will simplify the task of creating a database of likely partners, building your knowledge base, and preparing your Request for Proposal list.

Choosing the perfect WMS solution can be an indomitable challenge. Using this WMS RFP will simplify the task of creating a database of likely partners, building your knowledge base, and preparing your WMS Request for Proposal list.

Supply Chain RFP/RFI

The Supply Chain RFP is your opportunity to have logistics experts look at your specific challenges and needs, and receive free, no-obligation advice, solutions, and information. It simplifies finding a pool of likely partners, building your knowledge base, and preparing your Request for Proposal list. The companies in the Logistics Planner have agreed to respond to your request for in-depth information and follow-up, and your request is totally confidential.

The companies listed below have agreed to respond to your request for in-depth information and follow-up. Your request is totally confidential.

Executive Education RFI

The Logistics and Supply Chain Education RFI can help you identify the schools, coursework, continuing education, distance learning and certification opportunities available from leading logistics educational institutions.

Upgrade and improve your logistics and supply chain skillsets. Whatever route you choose—advanced degree, executive education, certification or distance learning—the time and money you invest in your education today can pay off in continued career success tomorrow. Contact leading universities and professional institutions for the information you need to prepare for the future.

Third Party Logistics RFP/RFI

This 3PL Request for Proposal (RFP)/Request for Information (RFI) can help you find the 3PL and 4PL providers that can meet your specific 3PL service challenges and needs. The 3PL companies below will provide free, no-obligation third-party logistics advice, solutions, and information.